A BIRMINGHAM man who admitted fitting a set of dentures to a blind woman despite being unqualified has been fined by magistrates.

Ken Beard, 57, of Grove Road, Kings Heath, pleaded guilty to illegally practising dentistry but said he was just providing teeth to people who would have waited years otherwise.

Birmingham magistrates heard how Beard qualified as a denturist in Canada in 1997 and is allowed to make dentures, but not to fit them into patients' mouths.

But in March this year, a woman called Mrs Price contacted Beard.

Alan Gardener, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Price required some new dentures and attended five appointments. Beard, who gave his business address as Heathfield Road, Kings Heath, offered to fit new dentures for £600 which would be refunded if she was not satisfied, the court heard.

Mr Gardner said Beard had examined Mrs Price's mouth on three occasions and had not washed his hands or worn surgical gloves during the examination. Mr Gardner said Mrs Price's husband handed over £600 for the new dentures later in the month.

He said: "She wasn't satisfied and found the dentures uncomfortable. She contacted the dental authorities."

But Rhodri Chudleigh, defending, said Beard had not not misrepresented himself using false advertising and that Mrs Price, who is registered blind, had approached Beard to have dentures fitted three years ago and was refused. Mr Chudleigh said: "He referred her to a dentist and told her he wasn't a qualified dentist but a denturist."

During the proceedings the father-of-one said: "I know what I do is illegal, but I provide a service because they would wait years for a set of teeth."

The magistrates' chairman said: "Every kind of medical treatment in this country has to be regulated. You have admitted that some of the things you were doing are outside the legal and that cannot be allowed to continue. We have had a debate as to what this dividing line is - you need to carry out some enquiries to make absolutely sure what you are permitted to do and what you are not permitted to do."

Beard was fined £1,000, ordered to pay £600 in compensation and £500 towards prosecution costs. Beard made no comment after the hearing.